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Kalbe Presents Health Field Research Funds

Press Release No. 038/KFCP-DIR/PR/X/18

Jakarta, 26 October 2018 - PT Kalbe Farma Tbk. (Kalbe) along with the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia, today again encourages the process of research downstreaming in Indonesia through research funding program Ristekdikti-Kalbe Science Awards (RKSA) 2018. The Rp 1.650 billion fund will be presented to 5 researches in the field of health that has been selected by the Board of Judges chaired by Prof. Dr. Amin Soebandrio, Ph.D, Sp.MK., who is also sitting as the Director of the Eijkman Molecular Biology Agency. The result of the Kalbe-funded research is hoped to be viable to be commercialized and marketed for the public.

The RKSA 2018 research fund grant was preceded by a discussion with the theme: Down-streaming Research Result to Improve Public Health. Present as speakers in the discussion are Dwiko Gunawan - Director of PT. Serambi Botani Indonesia, Dr. Bondan Ardiningtyas, M.Sc., Apt. -Director of PT. Swayasa Prakarsa, Dr. Laksana Tri Handoko, M.Sc. - Head of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences; and Sie Djohan - Director of PT. Kalbe Farma, Tbk.

Researches selected to receive the research funds are (alphabetically):
• Dr. Anggraini Barlian from Bandung Institute of Technology with research title of: Micropatterning Application for Proliferation and Differentiation Improvement of Human Wharton's Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells.
• Dessy Natalia, PhD from Bandung Institute of Technology with research title of: Performance Improvement on Dengue Fever Quick Test Detection Tool Through Variation of Dengue Antigen Components.
• Prof. Endang Sutriswati Rahayu, MS, from University of Gadjah Mada with research title of: Research on Effect of Indigenous Probiotic Powder Consumption in Circumventing Obesity.
• Prof. Dr. Ir. Made Astawan, MS from Bogor Institute of Agriculture with the research title of: Utilization of Fresh Tempe, Semangit and Bosok from Germinated Soybean as Functional Food Hypoglycemic.
• Dr. dr. Rahyussalim, SpOT (K) from University of Indonesia with research title of: The Effectiveness and Safety of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Patients with Degenerated Inter-vertebral Disc.

"As a company that believes that innovation and research is the essential key to the nation's progress, Kalbe continues to be committed in developing science and technology as well as fostering a culture of innovation in society, through holding the Ristekdikti-Kalbe Science Awards," said Vidjongtius, President Director of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk. "We hope that the research funding grant became the implementation of a synchronized synergy among all elements of the nation; especially academics, business, and government (ABG); where we shall be able to compete as well as manifesting a useful research result for the general public," Vidjongtius continued.

"The organizing of RKSA 2018 is focused on funding research in health field for researchers in Indonesia," said Pre Agusta, Committee Chairman of the Ristekdikti-Kalbe Science Awards 2018. "In spite of having a different concept from two years prior, the enthusiasm of researchers who registered their proposals did not decrease. We received 445 pre-proposal submitted to be judged by the Board of Judges. The researchers come from various agencies throughout Indonesia: University of Gadjah Mada , University of Padjajaran, Bogor Institute of Agriculture, University of Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology, University of Sriwijaya, Bina Nusantara University, University of Brawijaya, Airlangga University, Diponegoro University, University of North Sumatra, Hasanuddin University, the National Nuclear Energy Agency, the Agency for Assessment and Application of Technology," Pre continued.

"The scheme of the RKSA 2018 program is that through the research funding, we hope they can be commercialized within one year," said Prof. Dr. Amin Subandrio, PhD, Sp.MK, Chairman of the Board of Judges of the RKSA 2018. "We will monitor the research process at least once every six-month in accordance to the milestones agreed between the researchers and the judges," continued Prof. Amin.

The chosen health field includes 3 categories: Category 1 in the fields of pharmacy, biopharma and stem cells, Category 2 in the field of e-health, medical devices, diagnostics; and Category 3 in the field of health food and beverages, natural products. The total research grant that will be given to 5 selected proposals is at a value of Rp. 1,650 billion.

The selection of research proposals are divided into two segments, pre-proposals and proposal presentations. The pre-proposal processes include the purpose of research, abstract, timeline, budget, and stages of research. Whereas during the presentation of proposal segment, the researchers will have to present their proposal to show the conformity factor with the pre-proposal, detail of research (background, method, hypotheses), expected result, budget and timeline details. The chosen proposal will then undergo the processes of monitoring and implementation evaluation.

Ministry of Research and Technology at a glance
The Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenristekdikti RI) was established in 1962 with the name Ministry of National Research Matters of the Republic of Indonesia. Kemenristekdikti has the vision of realizing a quality higher education as well as the science and technology ability as well as innovation ability to support the nation's competitiveness. Kemenristekdikti also has a mission: to improve access, relevance, and quality of higher education to procure quality Human Resources; and increase the science and technology abilities and innovation to develop added value to innovation.

Kalbe at a glance
PT Kalbe Farma Tbk ("Kalbe") was established in 1966 and is one of the biggest public pharmaceutical companies in Southeast Asia. Kalbe has four main divisions that handle reliable and varied brand portfolio: prescription medicines (Cefspan, Brainact, Broadced, etc.); over-the-counter medication division (Woods, Promag, Mixagrip, Komix, Fatigon, etc.); health drinks (Hydro Coco, Extra Joss, Nitros); nutrition division (ChilKid, Prenagen, Diabetasol, etc.); and distribution division. Kalbe currently has more than 35 subsidiaries, 14 production facilities with international standard, and employs more than 17,000 employees dispersed across more than 72 branches throughout Indonesia. From 1991, Kalbe is listed at Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX: KLBF).